Romain Gary is one of the most singular authors of the 20ᵉ century. Involved in the Resistance, diplomat, literary forger, man of pseudonyms, Romain Gary (real name Roman Kacew) left his mark on the capital. Discover the places associated with his works and the tributes left in his memory.
A novelist with multiple identities, Romain Gary is the only author to have won the Prix Goncourt twice: once under his real name, for Les Racines du ciel in 1956, and again in 1975, under the pseudonym Émile Ajar, for La Vie devant soi. No jury ever suspected that this was the same man.
Born in Lithuania, he spent his teenage years in Nice before settling in Paris, where he pursued a brilliant diplomatic and literary career. A war hero, humanist and storyteller, his novels explore questions of identity, resilience and transmission.
L'Île Saint-Louis (4ᵉ arr.). In the 1960s, this beautiful apartment at the end of the island was where Romain Gary wrote several of his novels.
108 rue du Bac (7ᵉ arr.). For around 17 years, Romain Gary lived here, a place he chose for its discretion and the protection it offered from fame. He moved in in December 1960, mentioning in the newspapers the need to change apartment because of the number of friends who knew his old address. This apartment was the scene of his duality: he lived there under his main name, but also in the shadow of his pseudonyms - Émile Ajar, Shatan Bogat. It is said that, at the time of his suicide in December 1980, it was this home that carried the silent weight of his decision. He left behind a note in which he asserted that his decision had nothing to do with Jean Seberg 's suicide the previous year or his torments in love, and mentioned that he was also Émile Ajar.
Paris in his works. La Vie devant soi is set in the Belleville district, where Momo, the narrator, grew up, a working-class Paris open to others.
Place Romain-Gary (15ᵉ arr.).
La Promesse de l'Aube, the adaptation of Romain Gary's novel at Théâtre de la Contrescarpe
Tigran Mekhitarian's adaptation of Romain Gary's La Promesse de l'Aube opens on October 2, 2025 at Théâtre Le Contrescarpe. [Read more]
Follow in the footsteps of the greatest writers, artists, architects and historical figures in Paris
To unlock the secrets of Paris, follow in the footsteps of the greatest writers, musicians, painters, architects, couturiers and even historical figures who have visited the capital in their time. [Read more]
Location
Ile saint louis
Île Saint-Louis
75004 Paris 4
Follow in the footsteps of the greatest writers, artists, architects and historical figures in Paris
